Conspicuous Consumption in Cross-National Context: Psychological and Brand Antecedents
This study addresses the issue of conspicuous consumption among the British and Indian consumers, focusing on the psychological and brand antecedents, using the context of alcoholic beverages while employing a cross-sectional, survey-based methodology. The findings suggest that in both countries psychological and brand antecedents are of crucial importance among consumers in influencing their conspicuous consumption. However, the variables differ in their importance. The findings provide marketers an opportunity to engage with consumers by coupling the right mix of standardization and customization. The study is first of its kind explicitly investigating the conspicuous consumption in a cross-national context.
Citation:
Paurav Shukla, Ekta Shukla, and Sangeeta Sharma (2009) ,"Conspicuous Consumption in Cross-National Context: Psychological and Brand Antecedents", in AP - Asia-Pacific Advances in Consumer Research Volume 8, eds. Sridhar Samu, Rajiv Vaidyanathan, and Dipankar Chakravarti, Duluth, MN : Association for Consumer Research, Pages: 16-19.
Authors
Paurav Shukla, University of Brighton, UK
Ekta Shukla, Freelance researcher, UK Sangeeta Sharma, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences Pilani, India Volume
AP - Asia-Pacific Advances in Consumer Research Volume 8 | 2009
Share Proceeding Featured O4. Will Winning Always Encourage Risk Taking? The Effect of Competition Results and the Closeness of These Results
Beixi Wen, Renmin University of China
En-Chung Chang, Renmin University of China Chunya Xie, Renmin University of China Featured Enhancing the Effectiveness of Narratives Among Vaccine-Skeptical Parents
Sandra Praxmarer-Carus, Universität der Bundeswehr München
Stefan Wolkenstoerfer, Universität der Bundeswehr München Featured When Perceiving Oneself as a Spender Increases Saving
Emily Garbinsky, University of Notre Dame, USA
Nicole Mead, University of Melbourne, Australia


By Ryan Shaw Hallowed be Your Name
This is the first of the six specific prayers in the “Lord’s Prayer.” After having a right view of God, addressing ourselves to Him in His Fatherhood and transcendent glory as the eternal God, we cry out to Him that His name would be openly worshiped and glorified in all spheres.
We seek God that we ourselves would possess this growing revelation of God’s majesty and glory and then it would be openly manifested through us.
Before Jesus guides us into praying for our own needs and for His Kingdom glory and purposes to be done in and through us, He calls us to seek that He may reveal more of God’s honor and exalted state in us and to the whole world. We pray this over ourselves, our families, ministries, cities, nations and all the peoples of the world.
Through prayer we are primarily seeking God to be experienced and exalted in all spheres as He is in the essence of His being and to receive what He utterly deserves – worship and glory from the mouths of all humanity.
The Pharisees made their own desires the primary end of prayer where Jesus instructs that God’s glory and honor are the end of all true prayer. If the glory of God is not the primary motivation in our hearts then prayer becomes skewed and self-serving.
This keeps our prayer pure as we will not seek that which is at odds with bringing God glory, honor and worship. This prayer in essence is seeking God to act in every situation so that humanity may be more inclined to give Him that awe-inspired adoration He so richly deserves.
We are asking God to empower us to be vessels bringing Him the glory and honor we are praying He might receive. That we may worship Him and magnify Him in all we do, say and think.
No matter what comes of me I will seek to adore, exalt and proclaim Your name that You may be glorified in all things. We align with the self-surrender of God Himself as we willingly choose to worship, even in challenges and difficulties.
We know that we cannot glorify Him of our own accord and that we need “God to glorify God.” This moves us to pray this prayer with all sincerity.
We pray in obedience and faithfulness because we know Jesus calls us to. We do not, however, buy into the lie that our own power or abilities actually bring glory to God.
To glorify His name we need His power and enabling to do so. This is a prayer recognizing our desperate need for God to be all in all.


The Higher Learning Commission is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion. This commitment is articulated in HLC’s mission and vision statements, and it is central to HLC’s strategic plan and priorities as a learning organization with quality improvement representing a core value. Beyond its public documents, the principles of diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion are foundational to HLC’s daily service to its membership and the wider higher-education community. They are equally fundamental and likewise observable in the day-to-day engagements between HLC staff members who understand that sensitivity and compassion for others are indispensable.
As a learning organization, the Higher Learning Commission recognizes that achieving diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion is an ongoing journey. Organizational excellence relative to these principles must always remain a priority as well as a work-in-progress. HLC understands that sustainable strength derived through diversity is realized only if diverse perspectives are actively sought and consistently acted upon. Moreover, the fairness and justice inherent in equity require that fairmindedness and intentional awareness of accessibility need to be a daily priority among all staff members and supported by the organization through its structures, services, policies and expressed commitments. Likewise, inclusion depends upon individual voices being heard, respected, and by extension empowered, as opposed to being discounted or slighted through subtle forms of bias or discrimination within the organization.
The Higher Learning Commission embraces difference in all forms and recognizes that distinctiveness promises organizational vitality and cohesion through periods of stasis and change alike.
As part of HLC’s Strategic Plan EVOLVE, the Equity Committee has been working to create definitions that best capture these concepts, in accordance with HLC’s mission. HLC works toward continuous improvement as an organization, and will incorporate these concepts into current and future consideration through our policies and procedures.
While these definitions are primarily about how HLC plans to engage with these concerns, we also recognize the unique position HLC occupies, and so these definitions are offered to provide leadership and guidance for our membership as they also engage with these concepts, including potentially developing or refining their own definitions.
Diversity The acceptance and continuing reverence for the range of unique abilities, attributes and identities that reflect human existence. Diversity is achieved when such characteristics are not merely representational but are valued and called upon to inspire organizational creativity, innovative thinking and personal growth. Equity The conditions under which every individual has the resources and support needed to be successful. Equity, distinct from equality, is based on the principles of fairness and justice. Equity is achieved when lived experience is honored and there is intentionality in identifying and disrupting systemic, structural barriers as well as implicit biases in policy and practice. Accessibility The availability and independent usability of all activities, services, technologies and environments to all individuals, with consideration of a complete range of abilities and needs. Accessibility is achieved through intentional awareness, education, planning and design. Inclusion The intentional and demonstrable creation of safe and welcoming environments in which individuals are attuned to and hold themselves and others accountable for addressing power imbalances that inhibit the full participation of all people. Inclusion is achieved when diversity, equity and accessibility permeate an organizational culture.
Member institutions are not required to adopt these definitions. Rather, HLC shares these definitions in the spirit of transparency, representing HLC’s drive to build capacity in these important endeavors. HLC hopes that others will find them useful.


OBJECTIVES: The etiology and pathologic mechanism underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) are not clear. This study determined the effects of tau on amyloid-beta peptide(Aβ)-induced synaptic damages in a Drosophila model of AD.
METHODS: Galactose-regulated upstream promoter element 4(Gal4) and an upstream active sequence system was used to establish four kinds of Aβ transgenic Drosophila models of AD. Behavioral evaluation and immunohistochemical localization were performed in Aβ transgenic Drosophila models. Tau mutants were introduced into arctic mutant Aβ1-42 (arctic mutant Aβ [Aβarc]) Drosophila. The P{Gal4}A307 Drosophila strain was used as a control group; 12 strains were obtained to determine the effects of tau with or without Aβarc. Electrophysiologic records of the tau mutant groups were created.
RESULTS: The flight and crawling ability of Aβ transgenic Drosophila were gradually weakened compared to the control group, and the life span was significantly shorter than the control group. Aβ was specifically expressed in the Drosophila giant fiber pathway and further accumulated in neuronal cell bodies based on immunohistochemistry. The percentage of the excitatory junctional potential (EJP) response in transgenic Drosophila expressing Aβarc was significantly decreased, which was approximately 40% lower than the control group. The tau deletion mutation alleviated the synaptic transmission disorder caused by Aβ and improved the viability of Drosophila.
CONCLUSION: The tau deletion mutation significantly improved the synaptic damage caused by Aβ, and tau protein played an indispensable role in the synaptic dysfunction caused by Aβ, suggesting that Aβ and tau have close interactions in the pathogenesis of AD.


A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or recreation. It can also be an educational tool. Games differ from work, which is typically carried out for remuneration. By contrast, art is more commonly an expression of aesthetic or ideological elements. However, both types of play can be considered art. Below are some definitions of games. Let’s look at some examples of different types of games. When defining what a game is, it is important to distinguish it from other forms of play.
A game is a pursuit that involves rules and can be played alone or with others. The object of a game is to defeat other players or reach a certain goal first. This can be a competitive game or a cooperative one. Its etymology comes from the ancient Greek word gamanan, which means “game.” Gammon, for example, is related to the English word. A game is a competition between two or more individuals.
In the case of board games, there is a single player who has all of the necessary resources to win. The game can be divided into several subgames and can also involve a cooperative one. For example, there can be a cooperative game where a team of players is trying to reach a common goal. A cooperative game requires the players to cooperate with each other. Generally, a game can be defined as a contest between two players. In this case, the player is not playing a game against another person, but instead is playing a game against another person.
The word “game” is derived from the Latin word gamanan, which is equivalent to “game.” In the English language, the word game has come from the same root as the Latin term gammon. It can also refer to a contest between two individuals. The contest may involve the entire encounter or a specific game. This article is not intended to be comprehensive. Please consider this in 2006. If you are not familiar with it, here’s a short explanation.
The term “game” has many different meanings. In the modern context, a game is a type of game that involves several players. It may involve teams or independent opponents. It can also include coalitions. A game can take many different forms. It can be a board game, a competitive sport, or a team of individuals. There are many kinds of games, and games can be played in a variety of different ways.
A game is an activity performed by several people. The object of the game varies from one type to another. Some games involve competing against an opponent, while others are played with the objective of reaching an end first. In a more traditional sense, a game can involve a coalition of players. As a result, a coalition may not be a “game” at all. Rather, it may be a board game or a competitive sport.


While walking in our Harare neighbourhood I spotted this discarded package that, on close inspection, was a HIV Test Kit.
It was a reminder that HIV is still a serious health challenge for humanity that, unfortunately, rarely appears in the headlines.
It is true that the disease situation has improved, particularly, when I recall the dramatic epidemic that ravaged Africa and Zambia (where we were) in the 90’s. Antiretroviral therapy and diagnostic kits have contributed to the control of the disease, reducing its transmission. While this is great, an undesirable spin-off is that the disease is less obvious and there is a risk that control measures are relaxed. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic has monopolized our attention, making us less aware of HIV/AIDS.
We no longer see billboards on preventing HIV such as the “ABC of AIDS control” I saw in Gaborone [1] or this fight between warriors and an imaginary and “plurilegged” AIDS (SIDA in Portuguese) monster!
[1] It meant: A for “Abstain”, B for “Be faithful” and C for “Condomize”!


Scientists have made a new discovery that could eventually lead to more effective treatment for malaria. In a series of experiments that included using the BioXp™ system, they determined that a key phospholipid and a related protein confer protection against heat shock, allowing the parasite to survive in a host with a high fever.
Lead author Kuan-Yi Lu, senior author Emily Derbyshire, and collaborators at Duke University and MIT published their findings in the journal eLife. In the paper, they report investigating how
Plasmodium falciparum responds to heat shock, since fever is one of the most challenging environmental conditions the pathogen undergoes in its human host. “Although the process by which Plasmodium copes with heat stress is unclear, a highly coordinated stress response is likely required to ensure their survival and replication under these conditions,” the scientists write.
Previous studies suggested that the multifunctional lipid regulator phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PI(3)P] plays a role in protecting the parasite from some environmental stresses. Lu
et al. began there, using inhibitors, knockdown models, and a CRISPR-powered tunable line to see how the phospholipid changes response to heat shock. “Through integrating chemical, biochemical, and conditional genetic approaches, we identified PfHsp70-1 to be a PI(3)P effector protein that facilitates [digestive vacuole] integrity and contributes to parasite fitness during heat shock,” the team reports.
Indeed, they found that the parasites actively produced more PI(3)P when exposed to heat stress — ranging from 1.3 times to 2.3 times the levels seen in control samples. “Our data indicates heat-shock-induced PI(3)P accumulation occurs in the mature stage parasites, which could contribute to parasite survival during malarial fever,” the scientists note.
As part of this project, the team “created a transgenic
P. falciparum parasite that allowed for tunable expression of PfHsp70-1,” they report. Results showed that the phospholipid and the related protein work together to stabilize key elements in the parasite during heat stress. This tunable line, which was modified using CRISPR-Cas9, was constructed of fragments synthesized with the BioXp™ system. The donor vector was created using the Gibson Assembly® technique.
“Our research highlights the role of PI(3)P in
Plasmodium biology and lays the foundation for future work aimed at elucidating the parasite stress responses in greater mechanistic detail,” the team writes, noting that these findings could also point the way to more effective use of malaria treatments.


Ever wondered which words are more relevant when writing a document? If you are unfamiliar with the title, please summarize it. From there, you can develop a compelling central idea in your work. Remember, whatever you put in a passage will speak more about the main idea in that section.
Even brilliant writers get confused sometimes during the process of crafting a document. As such, it is crucial to master the correct way of paraphrasing when quoting a literature material. Besides, understanding the appropriate language to use is an important thing in paraphrasing an essay.
You may have to do extensive research to secure sources with valid data for your ideas. However, the biggest challenge lies in developing a proper description that captures the essence of the given text. Often, the writer might describe the source using a different wording style. With precision, you must ensure that you break down the text into sections. This works to create a comprehensive, free-flowing, and understandable writing Experience.
So, what are the steps in paraphrasing a paper? Essentially, these are the same steps applied to every other academic article:
Easy poems to paraphrase
Use the highlighted points to compose a credible piece.
Make a conclusion paragraph strong Create a thesis statement List the major key concepts in each chapter Write an outline Compose a marketing plan Edit and proofread How to Effectively Remove Plagiarism
When writing any assignment, you must be mindful of the intended audience. The most significant part of paraphrasing is ensuring that the meant message is communicated in a summarized manner. It is often advisable to useformal words to enhance the clarity in your Intent. For instance, the first sentence in a catalog should not have quotation marks. Put another followed by an inflective stress. When in doubt, always cite your source with in-text citations.
Addressing the Elimination Technique
The final step while lowering the chances of plagiarizing is eliminating all the barriers to intellectual property. Mansion writes that many students incorporate the elimination method in their day today strategies. Here, you will restate the aim of the paper. Make it clear to the readers that the work is derivative of an original concept.
It would be best if you did not overlook the importance of grammar. A lot of progress goes in paraphrasing. Some of the things that guarantee successful include:


Abstract
Two broad hypotheses have been advanced to explain the clinical efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for treatment of Parkinson's disease. One is that stimulation inactivates STN neurons, producing a functional lesion. The other is that electrical stimulation activates the STN output, thus "jamming" pathological activity in basal ganglia-corticothalamic circuits. Evidence consistent with both concepts has been adduced from modeling and animal studies, as well as from recordings in patients. However, the stimulation parameters used in many recording studies have not been well matched to those used clinically. In this study, we recorded STN activity in patients with Parkinson's disease during stimulation delivered through a clinical DBS electrode using standard therapeutic stimulus parameters. A microelectrode was used to record the firing of a single STN neuron during DBS (3-5 V, 80-200 Hz, 90- to 200-μs pulses; 33 neurons/11 patients). Firing rate was unchanged during the stimulus trains, and the recorded neurons did not show prolonged (s) changes in firing rate on termination of the stimulation. However, a brief (∼1 ms), short-latency (6 ms) postpulse inhibition was seen in 10 of 14 neurons analyzed. A subset of neurons displayed altered firing patterns, with a predominant shift toward random firing. These data do not support the idea that DBS inactivates the STN and are instead more consistent with the hypothesis that this stimulation provides a null signal to basal ganglia-corticothalamic circuitry that has been altered as part of Parkinson's disease.
ASJC Scopus subject areas Neuroscience(all) Physiology


Local community detection (or local clustering) is of fundamental importance in large network analysis. Random walk based methods have been routinely used in this task. Most existing random walk methods are based on the single-walker model. However, without any guidance, a single-walker may not be adequate to effectively capture the local cluster. In this paper, we study a multi-walker chain (MWC) model, which allows multiple walkers to explore the network. Each walker is influenced (or pulled back) by all other walkers when deciding the next steps. This helps the walkers to stay as a group and within the cluster. We introduce two measures based on the mean and standard deviation of the visiting probabilities of the walkers. These measures not only can accurately identify the local cluster, but also help detect the cluster center and boundary, which cannot be achieved by the existing single-walker methods. We provide rigorous theoretical foundation for MWC, and devise efficient algorithms to compute it. Extensive experimental results on a variety of real-world networks demonstrate that MWC outperforms the state-of-the-art local community detection methods by a large margin.


Link to Pubmed [PMID] – 32209717 Link to DOI – e00386-1910.1128/mSystems.00386-19
mSystems 2020 Mar; 5(2):
Genomics-based population analysis of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae motivated a renewed interest on the capsule as an evolutionary and virulence marker of clinically relevant strains. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based approaches have provided great insights into the genetic variability of the capsular locus, but genotypic-biochemical capsular (K)-type correlations are lacking, hindering the establishment of a reliable framework for K-type characterization and typing. To fill this gap, we combined molecular, comparative genomics, and multivariate data analysis tools with biochemical data on the capsular locus to support the usefulness of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as a reliable K typing tool. To validate our approach, we used a representative collection of well-defined MDR K. pneumoniae lineages involved in local or nationwide epidemics in multiple countries. With this, we demonstrate a high accuracy and resolution of our FT-IR-based spectroscopy approach for K-type discrimination that is even higher than that provided by WGS. Moreover, the specific associations established between certain K types and specific K. pneumoniae lineages with high clinical relevance, together with the accuracy, simplicity, short time to result, and inexpensive features of the method, support the value of the developed FT-IR-based approach for an easy, fast, and cost-effective strain typing. This fulfills a still unmet need for tools to support real-time monitoring and control of K. pneumoniae infections. In addition, the genotypic-biochemical correlations established provide insights on sugar composition/structure of newly defined K. pneumoniae capsular types.IMPORTANCE Klebsiella pneumoniae is nowadays recognized as one of the most defiant human pathogens, whose infections are increasingly more challenging to treat and control. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has been key for clarifying the population structure of K. pneumoniae, and it is still instrumental to provide insights into potential pathogenicity and evolutionary markers, such as the capsular locus. However, this information and WGS are still far from being accessible and translated into routine clinical microbiology laboratories as quick and cost-efficient strain diagnostic tools. Here, we propose a biochemical fingerprinting approach based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and multivariate data analysis tools for K. pneumoniae capsular typing that, because of its high resolution, speed, and low cost, can be an asset to provide enough information to support real-time epidemiology and infection control decisions. Besides, it provides a simple framework for phenotypic/biochemical validation of K. pneumoniae capsular diversity.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32209717


Rain Gutter Cleaning
Routine rain gutter cleaning and maintenance is crucial to ensure your gutters continue to work properly. Over time gutters can be filled with leaves, debris, wildfire ash, and roof aggregate. We hand-clean all gutters and dispose of the waste material. We ensure all downspouts are clear of clogs. Gutter cleaning may need to be repeated several times per year if your home has trees over or near the roof.
Clogged gutters can cause water pooling. This can result in gutter leaks and the added weight can cause gutters to become loose and misaligned. In areas that freeze, the expanded ice can cause damage to your roof. Overflowing gutters fail to divert water away from your home and can result in erosion or flooding.


Do not order “chelation challenge” urinary analyses for children with suspected lead poisoning.
The “chelation challenge” was formerly used to assess whether a child had a significant body burden of lead, or “lead poisoning,” and whether formal chelation would result in significant clearance of lead. Evidence exists that suggests that the chelation challenge has no better prognostic value than the standard blood lead level. Further, there is some evidence that the chelation challenge may in fact be potentially dangerous. In summary, chelation challenge has no clinical utility in the treatment of childhood lead poisoning today
These items are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific
questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their physician.
These items are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists
dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Environmental Health (COEH) consists of pediatricians who have a special interest in children’s exposures to
environmental contaminants and the care of the environment in which we live. COEH strives to inform pediatricians, parents, communities, and policy makers on environmental issues that can result in harm to children. As a result, the members of the Executive Committee of COEH were queried to provide their scientifically informed opinions as nationally recognized experts in pediatric environmental health to identify diagnostic and management decisions that have resulted in patient harm either from a misdiagnosis or inappropriate therapy. These 5 clinical issues are the result. Various expert committees, councils, and sections of the AAP reviewed and approved the list. The list was approved by the AAP Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Note: Pediatricians should consult with specialists who are trained in toxicology or environmental health when questions such as these arise. The American
Academy of Pediatrics has partnered with the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) to co-administer the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU), a network of pediatricians and medical toxicologists serving individual federal regions to help with education and consultation of children with environmental exposures. PEHSUs are funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the US Environmental Protection Agency with a cooperative agreement with AAP and ACMT. Visit: www.pehsu.net
American College of Medical Toxicology. Position statement on post-chelator challenge urinary metal testing. J Med Toxicol. 2010;6(1):74-75
Ruha AM. Recommendations for provoked challenge urine testing. J Med Toxicol. 2013;9(4):318-325
Soden SE, Lowry J, Garrison C, Wasserman G. 24-Hour provoked urine excretion test for heavy metals in children with autism and typically developing controls: a pilot study. Clin Toxicol.
2007;45(5):476-481


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A coalition of community and faith-based groups is asking the state Legislature to help fight youth homelessness. A proposal would provide $8 million to help homeless youth across Minnesota.
The bill passed the Early Childhood and Youth Development Policy Committee in the Minnesota House of Representatives on Tuesday. It now heads to the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee.
Wilder Research estimates that 2,500 young people are homeless in Minnesota on any given night. Advocates for those young people want the Legislature to provide $8 million per biennium. The money would be used for supportive housing, outreach, counselors, and prevention work.
Tim Marx is the CEO of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He said it is important to intervene while people are still young.
"If we don't get them on track then, their life trajectory and life chances many times become very unfortunate," Marx said. "They're on the streets, they run into predators. They often end up in emergency systems, jails. And they don't become workers and productive citizens of the community. This is many times a last chance to intervene and turn that trajectory in a positive way."
The bill's author, state Rep. Laurie Halverson, DFL-Eagan, agreed.
"They might be fleeing a situation at home that's dangerous. They might be experiencing crisis in their lives," Halverson said. "And they're needing stable, long-term solutions to help them live a prosperous life."
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Focus on Learning
Developing and maintaining a focus on learning provides us with the reason we are teaching. The two are synonymous but surprisingly we sometimes forget about what it is the learner needs to be engaged in powerful learning experiences. This is particularly true if we are wedded to feeling responsible for imparting all our years of discipline knowledge. In the 21st century we have amazing resources at our fingertips and a range of new industries and challenges to navigate. As such, we invite you to explore some of the following ideas about teaching and learning that focus on the learning experience.


Loot boxes pose a regulatory challenge in the United States.
A U.S. federal court recently dismissed a class action lawsuit against Google over alleged “predatory practices” surrounding a gaming feature called “loot boxes” in the Google Play Store. Parents of minors had claimed that loot boxes constitute illegal “slot machines or devices” under California law.
The case reignited debate over whether buying loot boxes constitutes gambling. And even though the court dismissed the parents’ lawsuit, the precise legal status of loot boxes remains unclear.
Loot boxes are mystery boxes included in video games that users may purchase during the game using either real or virtual currency. Each loot box offers randomized surprise virtual items. Because users do not know which items they will obtain from the loot box until after they have made their purchase, some observers consider loot boxes a “game of chance.”
The parents who filed the lawsuit against Google claimed that the loot boxes enticed “consumers, including children, to engage in gambling and similar addictive conduct” and that the loot boxes have the “hallmarks of a Las Vegas-style slot machine, including the psychological aspects to encourage and create addiction.”
The court evaluated Google’s liability under the terms of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which exempts platform companies from liability for content shared on their platforms. Although the court dismissed the lawsuit, it did so because Google merely allowed video game developers to provide apps to users through its app store. In other words, the court ruled against the parents not because it determined that loot boxes were not games of chance. Rather, it simply upheld the legal principle that a platform company “providing third parties with neutral tools to create web content is considered to be squarely within the protections of Section 230.”
Although there have been efforts in the United States to regulate loot boxes through legislation —and a Federal Trade Commission workshop raised the issue of loot box regulation—currently no legal consensus exists in the United States around the illegality of loot boxes.
Other jurisdictions, such as Japan, Belgium, and the Netherlands, have found that loot boxes fall under local gambling laws.
Japan was one of the first countries to respond to the global debate on loot box regulation. In 2012, Japan banned “kompu gacha,” a special type of loot box through which players can collect a final award if they collect a complete set of items from randomized loot boxes.
Notably, Japan regulates loot boxes under a law protecting consumers from deceptive practices, rather than under gambling regulations. The Japanese loot box regulatory framework differs from most Western frameworks that focus on the in-game monetary exchange.
Instead, Japanese lawmakers adopted a consumer welfare perspective that deemed kompu gacha exploitative in that the cost of completing a set of items from the loot boxes exceeded the value of the final award, with significantly lower payouts than those expected by gamers.
Because of this consumer welfare perspective, mechanisms similar to ordinary randomized loot boxes are not categorically prohibited; instead, the legality of loot boxes in Japan is determined on a case-by-case basis.
In Belgium, by contrast, certain types of loot boxes are explicitly included in the interpretation of the term, “games of chance.” They are deemed gambling within the meaning of the Gaming and Betting Act under which game developers may be criminally prosecuted.
Under this definition, the Belgium Gaming Commission found the constitutive elements of gambling present in loot boxes for certain games, such as when a wager serves as a participation fee for the loot box and a game design allows players to spend as much money as possible on the chance of receiving a certain item.
Such stringent regulations are a response to the addictive aftereffects caused by loot boxes and the vulnerability of minors and gambling addicts in game platforms. Accordingly, several game developers have altered their games offered in Belgium by removing in-game paid loot box systems.
Similarly, in the Netherlands, loot boxes qualify as a game of chance in which players can win a prize. But Dutch law differs from the definitions of games of chance in other jurisdictions in that it does not require a wager. Furthermore, the Dutch Gaming Authority left room for certain types of loot boxes that do not offer prizes that are transferable outside of the game; in these cases, the loot boxes are not deemed gambling but gaming.
Due to a lack of uniform regulations and the significant difference in gambling laws between European Union member states, the EU requires a country-specific approach.
U.S. lawmakers should consider the policy implications of the various jurisdictional approaches to loot box regulation. Policy debates about loot boxes should not be overlooked as scholars warn against the disconcerting structural and psychological semblance between gambling and loot box spending. Furthermore, the increase in video gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified such concerns and heightened the need for worldwide regulation.
U.S. regulatory authorities and policymakers should monitor trends and industry developments not only surrounding loot boxes but also around the broader issue of problematic game designs. In the interim, soft regulations may help tackle the problem by means of raising awareness and developing guidelines for parents and game players.
Although the United States has implemented various policies to safeguard the public, it is also a nation founded upon the pillars of liberty and freedom, which can pose a challenge to the adoption of certain legislation and regulation. Both liberty and the public interest should be adequately balanced to reach an optimal outcome concerning loot boxes in games.


Emerald Tumbled
The emerald is a stone that symbolises free-flowing energy and directly strengthens our heart centre. This kind of beryl embodies love, compassion, sensuality, and healing in their purest forms. This coveted mineral is capable of transferring our true emotional body into the physical sphere because it is able to harness our true emotional body. Our hearts can only hold a limited amount of emotion, so we must let go of the unneeded attachments. Whether an experience was positive or negative, if you are unwilling to let go of it, it indicates that your emotions are holding you back. This "tight hold" is caused by the dread of facing the emotional roller coaster that this encounter provokes. As you begin to use emerald's energies, you may find that you have constructed a façade of love around yourself. This fake shield is formed by your mind and emotional body to assist in the protection of your heart space. This shield may first appear to be an effective protective barrier, but with time it will impact your entire body and contribute to your growing weakness and insecurity. You will begin to comprehend why your body produces this aura of self-protection as you engage with Emerald more frequently. Once you comprehend this, you can determine how to solve it. When you begin to practise self-care, you will discover that the pure love you've been seeking has always been within you.
To comply with social media product listing policies, I must mention that our products should not replace advice from a physician. Sold as a Curio. For external use only.


Prostate cancer (PCa) accounts for an estimated 26,120 deaths in 2016 representing the second-greatest cause of cancer death among men. Recent molecular characterization of PCa has revealed striking genomic heterogeneity and defined distinct molecular subclasses that may provide insight to the variable clinical course. Recurrent mutations in SPOP are the most common point mutations in prostate cancer, occurring in about 10% of patients across early and advanced disease. SPOP is a substrate receptor of the Cullin 3-based ubiquitin ligase, which recruits androgen receptor (AR), TRIM24 and SRC-3 and other key regulators for ubiquitination and degradation, thereby governing the threshold of AR transcription, DNA damage repair, and tumor suppression. SPOPmut defines a distinct molecular class of prostate cancer characterized by activation of AR signaling and impairment of DNA double strand break (DSB) repair with transcriptional response (gene set signature) similar to that of BRCA1 inactivation. We have interrogated the TCGA RNA-seq datasets on primary (untreated) prostate cancer to define a SPOPmut transcriptional signature of 213 differentially expressed genes, and validated in independent RNA-seq cohorts for significant enrichment of this gene set in multiple cohorts of SPOPmut cases. Surprisingly, we also detected primary prostate tumors without mutation of the SPOP gene, yet showing the same gene expression characteristics to the SPOP mutant subclass, indicating that other events can phenocopy SPOP mutations in these primary ?SPOPmut-like? PCa. To further understand the function and regulation of SPOP in prostate tumorigenesis, we performed tandem affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry analysis, and identified G3BP1 as a novel SPOP- binding protein. G3BP1 is not a substrate of SPOP, but acts as a potent inhibitor of the SPOP ubiquitin ligase. This first-in-kind SPOP inhibitor revealed previously unrecognized means of SPOP inactivation that is independent of PCa-associated SPOP gene mutations. Importantly, we detected abnormally high levels of G3BP1 in PCa either with or without SPOP mutations. We hypothesize that dysregulation of G3BP1 defines a new subclass of prostate cancer with SPOPmut-like molecular signature, pathophysiological characteristics, and sensitivity to AR- and PARP targeting therapeutics. This application is built upon the unique and complementary strengths and resources of a team of investigators in prostate cancer genomics and pathology (Rubin), molecular classification, clinical management and precision therapy of PCa patients (Barbieri), computational genomics (Sboner), and cullin-based ubiquitin ligases (Zhou). In this proposal, we will 1) determine the clinical value of G3BP1 dysregulation in PCa classification and potential therapeutic implications, 2) determine the biochemical mechanisms underlying SPOP inhibition by G3BP1 and the roles of this newly discovered G3BP1-SPOP ubiquitin signaling pathway in AR transcription, DNA repair and prostate tumorigenesis, and 3) assess the susceptibility of G3BP1high PCa to AR- and PARP-targeting therapies.
Recent molecular characterization of prostate cancer (PCa) has revealed striking genomic heterogeneity and defined distinct molecular subclasses that may provide insight to the variable clinical course and therapeutic options. We found dysregulation of G3BP1 in a group of primary (untreated) prostate cancer patients that bear striking resemblance to the subclass of PCa with SPOP mutations that we recently defined. This study will thoroughly investigate the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of G3BP1high tumors that may constitute a new subclass of PCa, and determine how G3BP1 inhibits SPOP ubiquitin ligase, promotes prostate tumorigenesis, and sensitizes these PCa to Androgen receptor- and PARP-targeting therapy.


WHY DO I NEED A FOUR-POINT INSPECTION?
Insurance companies have become increasingly reluctant to issue Homeowner Insurance Policies on older homes (usually 30 years old or more). Their common concern is that there may be conditions in an older home that could become a liability to them. For instance; a home with a roof nearing the end of its reliable service life may fail while under the policy and the homeowner may seek reimbursement from their insurance company for damages to the home or its contents. Similar concerns extend to the condition of the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems in an older home. If these elements are in poor condition, in need of being updated or replaced, or were improperly installed, they may fail and cause fire or water damage to a home. Newer homes are assumed (by the insurance companies) to not have these problems as frequently as older homes.


There aren’t many coffee brands out there taking time to recognize some of the United States’ most selfless individuals. However, for coffee brand Black Rifle Coffee Company, it’s all about our nation’s veterans and first responders. Now, after seeing significant growth last year, the company’s owner is focusing on the “underserved population.” This includes U.S. veterans, as well as members of national law enforcement.
Black Rifle Coffee Company was founded by Evan Hafer, a veteran who served in Iraq as a Green Beret and a CIA contractor in Afghanistan. Hafer began roasting coffee in his Salt Lake City Garage upon returning home.
However, in 2014, Black Rifle Coffee Company went live virtually. And now, eight years later, Hafer’s goal is to aid and represent those he feels have been ignored.
Coffee For the Patriotic Masses
“The main concern I have,” he shared with
FOX Business, “is with the veterans that have been physically and psychologically injured by the wars. I think that as the wars age, they somewhat become forgotten.”
In order to prevent that, Hafer said, it’s “my responsibility to my subculture in my veteran community to fund a lot of those initiatives to give back.”
In 2021, Hafer reported the company gave coffee, valued at $3 million, “to the front lines.” Beneficiaries included military, police, firefighters, and EMTs. Another $1.2 million went to veteran and first-responder charities.
However, Black Rifle Coffee Company isn’t just about giving back to those who have gone “underserved” in American society. Black Rifle boasts roasts like AK-47 Espresso Blend, “Coffee, or Die,” and the “Thin Blue Line” medium roast. However, Hafer has also endeavored to hire thousands of our nation’s vets. The outlet reports the coffee company’s long-term goal is to hire at least 10,000 U.S. veterans.
Black Rifle Coffee Company Predicts 35% Revenue Increase for 2022
A stark contrast marks the values between Black Rifle Coffee Company and widely recognized brands like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. Nevertheless, the brand sees continual growth. Currently, its subscription service numbers 287,000 members. That’s not all though. After seeing profits grow 20% between quarters three and four of 2021, the coffee brand predicts massive growth for 2022. Company representatives estimate a 35% revenue increase by the end of the year.
In speaking to the company’s growing profits, Co-Chief Executive Tom Davin said, “The U.S. coffee market is over $45 billion, and we estimate our serviceable addressable market to be $28 billion. This includes 100 million U.S. customers who are aligned with our brand values.”
A 35% revenue increase would be truly remarkable for a coffee company whose target market differs drastically more leftist-aligned companies. Despite the massive competition though, Davin insisted Black Rifle Coffee Company remains undaunted.
What further differentiates Black Rifle from its competitors is its commitment to those truly on the front lines. Funding for and employment of U.S. veterans and first responders signifies just one of numerous brand endeavors. Hafer shared with the news outlet that they currently have journalists on the ground in Ukraine.
The Hill reports those special operations veterans continue to cover the tragedy in real-time.
Hafer shared that Black Rifle Coffee Company is the only coffee brand in the U.S. that has three journalists covering the situation for the company’s journal, “Coffee or Die.”


Main Article Content Abstract
Imperative sentences like
Dance! do not seem to represent the world. Recent modal analyses challenge this idea, but its intuitive and historical appeal remain strong. This paper presents three new challenges for a non-representational analysis, showing that the obstacles facing it are even steeper than previously appreciated. I will argue that the only way for the non-representationalist to meet these three challenges is to adopt a dynamic semantics. Such a dynamic semantics is proposed here: imperatives introduce preferences between alternatives. This characterization of meaning focuses on what function a sentence serves in discourse, rather than what that sentence refers to (e.g., a state of the world). By representing the meaning of imperatives, connectives and declaratives in a common dynamic format, the challenges posed for non-representationalism are met.


Three basic categories of construction are permitted to continue: (1) Essential Construction; (2) Emergency Construction; and (3) local government work, which is subject to individual determination by the appropriate City agency.
The most significant change in the guidelines is the significant expansion of the scope of projects under the Essential Construction umbrella. Any project with a permit issued on or before April 15, 2020 may continue if it is an alteration of an existing building for an essential business identified by the ESD – here is the one provision where the DOB differs slightly from the ESD, which does not specify that it must only be on an existing building. Essential Construction now also includes public and private schools and lowers the affordable housing threshold from 30% to 20%. Energy projects have also been clarified to cover all those listed in the March 31, 2020 FAQ item #14.
The Emergency Construction provisions, on the other hand, are essentially unchanged, permitting work that is necessary for health and safety of occupants, whether ordered by the DOB, to restore essential services, or to address a significant condition that poses a significant risk to others or property, and that work required to get a project to the point where it is safe to suspend the project.
The Essential Active Construction Sites map on the DOB website has been updated to include projects identified as “essential facilities,” but the site does not identify the specific nature of the project, so we cannot be sure that the DOB has covered all projects now permitted to proceed. If you believe your project now qualifies under these guidelines, but it does not appear on the DOB’s map, you can, and should, apply to the DOB for inclusion.
Even on projects which can proceed, the DOB guidelines permit only the minimum number of employees needed to support the essential activity.
As the law continues to evolve on these matters, please note that this article is current as of date and time of publication and may not reflect subsequent developments. The content and interpretation of the issues addressed herein is subject to change. Cole Schotz P.C. disclaims any and all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this publication to the fullest extent permitted by law. This is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Do not act or refrain from acting upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining legal, financial and tax advice. For further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to your firm contact or to any of the attorneys listed in this publication.


Ultra-Ultra-Low Temperature FreezersLike refrigerators, ultra-ultra-low temperature freezers (UULTs,) are often forgotten about in the Freezer Challenge. But they shouldn't be. Though not nearly as ubiquitous as other forms of cold storage, UULTs can consume 2-3x more energy than a ULT. That's enough energy for 2-3 homes, everyday!
Why do UULTs use so much energy? Because they are typically set to -150C, which is not an easy temperature to maintain.
So if your lab has UULTs, make sure you include them when completing the Freezer Challenge score sheet. Dusting coils, removing old samples, and retiring UULT units can have a significant impact. It's also not uncommon to find samples stored at -150C that do not need to be stored at such a low temperatures. If your samples fall into this category you could score major points -and save lots of energy - by moving them to another type of cold storage unit.
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Our members can provide input to our new internal strategy soon
In 2015, we launched the European organic movement’s shared Vision. In 2017, a movement-wide strategy culminated in a strategic Roadmap “Making it Happen”, highlighting pathways for stakeholders, policymakers and civil society to transition to sustainable food and farming.
In parallel to the movement-wide strategy, as IFOAM Organics Europe, we developed our internal strategy. Since 2016, this has been a cornerstone of all activities implemented in the annual work programmes.
We are set to start reviewing the progress on achieving our shared vision as a movement and our internal strategy – especially with an eye on the European Union’s target of 25% organic land by 2030.
We are eager to get your feedback! In the coming weeks we will publish an online survey through which you can provide your input. We will email you a link for this.
Following this survey, we will hold workshops with the Board, Council and a Strategy Camp including experts and aim to finalise the new internal strategy by the end of 2021. We will keep you posted about key developments on our member extranet and via direct emails.


Endovascular treatment of unique colonic arteriovenous malformation with dual supply from superior and inferior mesenteric arteries Received:, Accepted:, How to cite this article: Richards L, Rohr A, Alli A, Lemons S. Endovascular treatment of unique colonic arteriovenous malformation with dual supply from superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. Am J Interv Radiol 2021;5:7. Abstract
Colonic arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are well recognized in the literature and commonly manifest as colitis, abdominal pain, and rare cases have been reported of liver congestion. Dual-supply superior artery/ inferior mesenteric artery (SMA/IMA) colonic AVMs have never been reported and only one case of treating portal hypertension due to an AVM with an endovascular approach has been reported. We present a case of dual-supply SMA/IMA colonic AVM manifesting as hepatic venous congestion and demonstrate an endovascular approach to treatment. Level of evidence: Level 4, case series.
Keywords Arterial intervention Arteriovenous malformation Embolization Endovascular intervention Interventional radiology INTRODUCTION
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are described in the literature and may present throughout various organ systems. However, dual-supply superior artery/inferior mesenteric artery (SMA/ IMA) colonic AVMs are extremely rare. These types of AVMs may be congenital or acquired and often present with some form of colitis or abdominal pain; given the malformation associated with adjacent bowel.
[1,2] Treatment varies, including surgical, percutaneous, and endovascular measures. Specifically, a case of portal hypertension secondary to sigmoid colonic AVM has been described with surgical intervention. [ 2,3] On extensive literature review, there has only been one case of a colonic arteriovenous shunt presenting with hepatic venous congestion successfully managed with endovascular embolization. [4] To the best of our knowledge, a case of dual supply to a colonic AVM from the SMA/IMA has never been reported or managed with endovascular embolization. Additional radiographic findings of this case make it unique when considering approach to treatment. CASE REPORT
We present a 72-year-old male with large SMA/IMA (dual supply) AVM resulting in cirrhotic features, ascites, and portal hypertension. The patient initially presented with hematemesis/ melena; subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit for gastrointestinal bleeding and ascites in the setting of presumed cirrhosis. He had been thoroughly evaluated by hepatology identifying portal hypertension with an estimated portosystemic hepatic gradient of 17 mmHg. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography examination demonstrated a large AVM surrounding the sigmoid colon with dual supply through the SMA and IMA. The IMA was notably engorged to near the same size of adjacent aorta. The large, tortuous draining vein (sigmoid colonic) encompassed the majority of the left hemiabdomen, eventually draining to the main portal vein (MPV) [Figure 1]. No discernible AVM nidus was identified given the convergence of the SMA/IMA AVM to the adjacent colon. These findings were responsible for the presentation of cirrhotic features and portal hypertension. The patient’s workup included MELDNa score of 9, hemoglobin of 7.3 g/dL (down from 11.7 g/dL on previous workup), and systolic blood pressures ranging 60–90 mmHg. After blood transfusion, he underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with variceal banding, given the associated varices from the large AVM. No pertinent enlarged esophageal varices were present. The patient continued to have melena and hematemesis. Interventional radiology was consulted for possible intervention, as he was deemed non-surgical. Before a planned superselective SMA/ IMA arterial coil embolization to decrease flow to the AVM, a liver biopsy was pursued, demonstrating no significant fibrosis.
The patient then underwent superselective SMA/IMA coil embolization. Careful consideration was given to the risk of bowel ischemia while performing extensive embolization, to “debulk” the arterial supply of the AVM. During the planning process, transhepatic portal venous access and intervention were discussed. Given the tortuosity and extent of the large left hemiabdomen draining vein, this was determined to be a likely unsuccessful pursuit while adding an additional risk to the patient. SMA angiography demonstrated an engorged Arc of Riolan communicating with both the IMA and the large sigmoid AVM. Superselective coil embolization (Penumbra, Alameda, CA) of the distal vessel was completed [Figure 2]. Given the length and tortuosity of the vessel, a neurointerventional base catheter (Navien, EV3, Plymouth, MN) was utilized with associated microcatheter (Progreat, Terumo, Somerset, NJ).
Next, the IMA was selected, and arteriography demonstrated multiple engorged vessels supplying the AVM. There was a dominant feeder contiguous with the SMA and previous site of coil embolization. Superselective coil embolization was then performed, and arteriography demonstrated marked reduction in flow to the AVM. Finally, an additional prominent vessel from the IMA supplying the AVM was embolized in similar fashion [Figure 3].
After embolization, the patient remained an inpatient for the ensuing 2 days. He was stable (Hg 8.9 g/dL), not requiring transfusion or additional intervention. Post-procedural contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated nearly absent opacification of the draining vein next to the clearly opacified aorta following treatment suggesting marked reduction in arterial supply [Figure 4]. Furthermore, a 30-day follow-up revealed no persistent symptoms and had not required paracentesis for ascites.
DISCUSSION
Rare case reports have been described of similar AVM morphology regarding the colon, likely secondary to congenital anomalies, which have been treated with surgical or endovascular management.
[3,4] This case is unique regarding the presentation of hepatic venous congestion, dual supply through the SMA/IMA, and the sheer size and robust flow of the outflow vein draining to the MPV. CONCLUSION
In the case of AVM with dual-supply from both IMA and SMA presenting with hepatic venous congestion, selective endovascular coil embolization of the arterial inflow can provide a safe approach to symptomatic treatment.
Declaration of patient consent
Patient’s consent not required as patients identity is not disclosed or compromised.
Financial support and sponsorship
Corresponding author is a trainee supported by NCATS grant number TL1TR002368 from the University of Kansas Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.


Strong Start to Finish - Accelerating Scaled Implementation Scaling
This grant supports Education Commission of the States, through its Strong Start to Finish initiative, in accelerating the implementation of complex developmental education reforms at scale in up to eight state higher education systems.
Accelerating Just Transformation in the Foundational Postsecondary Experience Exploration
This grant supports the Gardner Institute, through the Accelerating Just Transformation in the Foundational Postsecondary Experience (TFPE) project, in working with cohorts of colleges with growing populations of first-generation, low-income and minoritized student populations to redesign the first-year student experience. TFPE will enable institutions to redesign practices that impede success for learners from low-income backgrounds and identify and act on targeted reforms to promote equitable student success.
Scaling the Leadership Academy for Student Success Scaling
This grant supports National Center for Inquiry and Improvement (NCII) in replicating the Ohio Leadership Academy for Student Success in two to three additional states. NCII will work with selected states to implement key elements of the Ohio model for providing targeted training for leaders within community colleges, thereby building state- and system-level capacity to implement wide-scale strategies for student success.
Modern Math Pathways for All Students Scaling
This grant supports the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin in building capacity for large-scale mathematics reform in states that have not yet undertaken significant transformation.
Strengthen and Scale Multiple Measures Assessment Implementation Scaling
This grant supports MDRC, in partnership with the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, in expanding the adoption of multiple measures assessment systems for student placement in math and English.
Paving the Way to Equitable, Adequate, and Effective Community College Funding Validation
This grant supports the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University in executing a project designed to understand the costs of implementing evidence-based practices to support postsecondary success for learners from low-income backgrounds and students of color at two-year institutions. CCRC will use insights from the study to provide guidance to institutional leaders and state and system policymakers for advancing adequate and equitable funding strategies.
Minnesota Math Pathways Scaling
This grant supports Minnesota State Colleges & Universities in replacing pre-requisite remediation with co-requisite options and ensuring all students enter a mathematics pathway relevant to their program of study. These reforms are designed to facilitate transfer and reduce disparities in low-income and minoritized student completion outcomes.
Academic Planning Tool Pilot Exploration
This grant supports Partnership for Education Advancement in bolstering college capacity to plan for, successfully implement and evaluate the use of academic planning technology to help students map a clear path to courses needed for degree completion. In addition to decreasing excess credit accumulation and speeding time to degree for students, the project will help institutions calculate the return on their investment in this type of technology.
Curricular Analytics Validation
This grant supports the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities, hosted at Colorado State University, in validating the relationship between curricular structure and equitable student outcomes. A network of national senior leaders will collaborate to develop and test strategies for using their institutional data to engage faculty in revising university curriculum.
Equity and Policy Alignment to Drive Student Graduation Rates and Close Attainment Gaps Exploration
This grant supports Complete College America in building capacity for networks of institutions to implement equity-centered completion policies and practices.


Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss and the Brookline Department of Public Health announce that the Town of Brookline is lifting the face covering requirements in town-owned buildings where the public gathers effective immediately.
The decision to lift the mask requirement was based on a review of CoViD-19 data including declining
local case counts, hospital admissions and hospital capacity, wastewater data, Public Schools of Brookline case counts, and vaccine and testing resources. As of Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has transitioned Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties as a low-risk area for CoViD-19 transmission.
“We are seeing a consistent week over week drop in our weekly community case counts, as well as significant drops in our school case numbers. The Department will continue to watch the data with our community partners to respond to the changing CoViD-19 trends,”
Director Reiss said.
Residents should be aware that individual organizations can still require masks. The Department encourages everyone in Brookline to maintain a mask-friendly environment.
Residents are reminded that masking is still mandatory for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, while in healthcare facilities, including congregate care settings.
Residents also should continue to wear a mask if they are experiencing symptoms of CoViD-19, tested positive, or were exposed to someone with CoViD-19. Anyone with symptoms consistent with CoViD-19 should consider taking an at-home CoViD-19 test. To report an at-home CoViD-19 test result, please visit
here.
Additionally, anyone at high risk for severe illness should consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.
Residents are reminded that a CoViD-19 vaccine and booster remain the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from CoViD-19, which continues to pose a serious risk of severe illness to those who are unvaccinated.
For more information, please visit the CDC’s CoViD-19 vaccine website
here. To find a vaccination site near you, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Vaccine Finder.


Member news: Koura introduces new refrigerant for air conditioning Refrigerant manufacturer Koura recently introduced R468C, a refrigerant that could replace R410A in air conditioning systems.
At the latest edition of the Purdue conferences (soon to be online on the IIR website), three authors presented R468C, a promising alternative to R410A in air conditioning systems.
This refrigerant, developed by Koura (corporate member of the IIR), has been classified as A2L (low flammability) by ASHRAE. Its critical temperature is slightly higher than that of R410A, but the other properties are close. R468C is a mixture of 42% HFC32, 52% HFO1234yf and 6% HFO1132a and has a GWP of 286. The high proportion of R1234yf could indicate that its price will be somewhat higher than that of the refrigerants it could replace. In a paper* presented at Purdue, it was found that R468C requires a higher refrigerant flow (between 30% and 60%) for the same superheat temperature and saturated suction temperature, which translates into 30% to 57% higher cooling capacity but about 10% lower COP compared to R410A.


This article is about How to Prevent the Harmful Effects of Food Pollution? Food pollution has harmful effects such as foodborne illnesses and at its worst, can cause serious health problems such as cancer...
1. Avoid smoking indoors 2. Avoid burning of wood at fireplace 3. Keep your dustbins covered to avoid attracting pests 4. Remove your footwear outside your home 5. Frequent dusting and vacuum cleaning is recommended 6. Avoid usage of lamps and halogen bulbs 7. Equip your kitchen with chimney and clean it frequently 8. Clean filters of air conditioner often 9. Wash your bedding regularly 10. Houseplants to purify air
1. Health conditions 2. Medical bills: 3. Loss in business 4. Missed working days 5. Reduced productivity


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We are thrilled to announce that Nurture has received a Healthy Communities Action Team grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth to support the continued work of #RVAbreastfeeds. The three-year, $90,000 grant will begin July 1, 2020.
Over the past six years, #RVAbreastfeeds has developed an extensive network of relationships and a reputation for accomplishing a lot with little. For the 2020 to 2023 grant cycle we will leverage this foundation to seek the Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community (BFFC) designation as outlined in the 10-step framework developed by Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute for the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. This framework is currently being piloted in North Carolina.
Galvanizing support by launching a big, bold, and brave initiative that aligns with national and international breastfeeding recommendations, we will continue #RVAbreastfeeds activities that align with the
10 Steps, such as positive social media messaging, Breastfeeding Welcome Here outreach to local businesses, and providing evidence-based lactation education for community members and care providers.
Then, implementing a grassroots to treetops approach, we will reach out to local elected officials and health department leaders to secure support for the BFFC designation, recruit key champions to assume leadership for components of the BFFC 10 Steps framework, and develop a 3-year strategic plan for the BFFC initiative, including developing lactation guidelines for public schools.
In seeking the grant, some of the preliminary work has already begun. For example, we have already met with Richmond City Health District leadership to discuss development of lactation policies for parents whose children attend public schools. This was the direct result of local parents reaching out to us to share their stories of discrimination by public school staff for breastfeeding on school grounds.
Partners for the upcoming grant cycle include Nurture, VCU Health CenteringPregnancy®, Richmond City Health District, Richmond City WIC, Richmond Resource Mothers, the Virginia Department of Health, Birth In Color RVA, Cbe Consulting, and several community members who are breastfeeding parents.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this initiative, please email info@nurtureRVA.org. You will be added to the #RVAbreastfeeds coalition mailing list to keep you in the loop as we begin planning. We will likely be hosting a retreat to do some strategic planning in the Spring of 2020.


Dr. David Jernigan, PhagenCorp, LLC, USA, will join the Phage Therapy Congress to present his latest research on “Inducing Native Phages From the Human Virome to Address Targeted Infections”.
The strategic manipulation of native phages to mitigate or eliminate a targeted infection appears feasible. The human body is a rich source of diverse phage populations. Native phages comprise 97.7% of the human virome with over 30,000 unique phage populations.
This presentation reveals compelling evidence of a novel innovation to induce specific epigenetic changes in key native phages from the human virome, a component of the microbiome, to mitigate or eliminate targeted infections. Further scientific evaluations are needed to better understand these clinical outcomes.
Join the congress to know more about the latest innovations in the phage therapy field.
Targeting Phage & Antibiotic Resistance 2023 June 1-2, 2023 – Paris, France


On the third day of the Budget Session, discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address began in Parliament. Speaking in Rajya Sabha, one Member welcomed the President's remarks. Noting that 11 crore toilets have been built in rural areas, the Member said that schemes like Swachch Bharat Abhiyan and PM Ujjwala have particularly improved the living conditions of rural women. Another Member stated that the President’s Address did not cover pressing issues like unemployment, price rise and income inequality in the country.
Following the President's Address and the Budget Presentation in the first two days of the session, Question Hour and Zero Hour commenced in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In Rajya Sabha, the Women and Child Development Minister stated that requirement of written consent and the Aadhaar number of the husband will no longer be mandatory for women to avail benefits under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. Under the PMMVY, maternity benefits of ₹5,000 are provided in three installments to pregnant women and lactating mothers for their first child.
To another written question on regulating the ed-tech sector, the Minister of State for Education informed the House about an advisory issued in December. The advisory specifies that ed-tech companies are considered as e-commerce entities and must therefore comply with the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020. Under the Rules, all ed-tech companies must have a grievance officer who must acknowledge the receipt of any consumer complaint within 48 hours and redress the complaint within one month.
Proceedings were ongoing in Lok Sabha at the time of Updating this post.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry informed Lok Sabha that 264 start-ups have been recognised by the DPIIT in 2021 in the north-eastern states of Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The 2021-22 Economic Survey on Monday noted that the government recognized 14,000 new startups in 2021.


Objectives: We conducted a systematic review of quantitative research regarding patients' preferences, perspectives and values for ventilation among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Our objective was to explore the feasibility and desirability of incorporating patient preferences within the health technology assessment (HTA) process by working through a case study. Methods: Medical and economic databases were searched for studies published in English from 1990 through March 4, 2011. Studies were selected based on title and abstract. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, data were analyzed using a narrative synthesis approach. Results: Among 1833 identified citations, twelve studies met our inclusion criteria. Ten of these studies pertained to COPD patient preferences for ventilation. Results indicate that a significant proportion of COPD patients are willing to forgo ventilation, particularly when it is expressed as "indefinite life support" (60-78 percent) rather than as temporary modality. Results indicate that patient preferences for mechanical or noninvasive ventilation cannot be predicted by covariates (e.g., age, quality of life) or by others who are frequently called upon to make decisions are their behalf. Conclusions: We found that it is indeed feasible to conduct a systematic review of quantitative preference-related evidence for an HTA topic. However, the process of conducting this preference-related case study also revealed several challenges because there is a high degree of variation in taxonomy, instrumentation, and study design. Therefore, we do not recommend it as a routine part of the HTA process, but we suggest that it is a promising area to pursue for preference-sensitive technological decisions.


Source: Twin Design / Shutterstock.com
Amid a soft market environment on Thursday,
International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) managed to deliver some cheer on Wall Street with positive kinesis following yesterday’s third-quarter earnings beat. While directly positive for IBM stock — which gained 4% in the early afternoon session — the performance also reflects steady demand for computer technologies such as software, mainframe systems and hybrid cloud services.
According to
CNBC, the tech icon delivered earnings per share (EPS) of $1.81 on revenue of $14.11 billion. Analysts polled by Refinitiv anticipated EPS to come in at $1.77 on revenue of $13.51 billion. Notably, top-line sales increased 6.5% from one year ago.
What made the earnings beat so impressive for IBM stock is that the underlying firm clashed head-to-head against currency-related obstacles. Per a
Bloomberg report:
Big Blue’s internationally skewed sales continue to be damped by a historically strong US dollar. The company said currency fluctuations cut its third-quarter revenue by 9 percentage points and would slice full-year growth by about 7 percentage points.
Nevertheless, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna remarked in a statement that: “With our year-to-date performance, we now expect full-year revenue growth above our mid-single digit model.” In June, IBM stated it expected growth at the high end of the model.
Significantly, management also reiterated its guidance from July of around $10 billion in free cash flow.
IBM Stock Is a Surprising Tech Gem
While suffering an 8.3% year-to-date loss following the close of the Oct. 19 session wouldn’t ordinarily inspire confidence, IBM stock finds itself the hidden gem within the deeply embattled tech sector. As
Bloomberg noted, during the same period, the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (NYSEARCA: IGM) dropped 36% of its market value.
Moreover, the earnings report revealed some intriguing details regarding the broader tech space. Per
Bloomberg:
Though Krishna is betting IBM’s future growth on the lucrative market for cloud computing and artificial intelligence, mainframe sales helped its infrastructure unit generate a 15% increase in revenue — the fastest-growing division in the quarter.
Moving forward, the various macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds that scarred proceedings for this year may come into play. To be sure, Krishna stated that the energy crisis and soaring inflation in Europe facilitate more cautious conversations. However, the head exec stated that the concerns aren’t reflected yet in the data.
Nevertheless, CFO Jim Kavanaugh stated in an interview that the “strong dollar is impacting margins and the company has responded by increasing prices for products and consulting,” per
Bloomberg’s description. Presumably, then, the next step for IBM stock is whether the underlying company can sustain such mitigation measures. On the date of publication, Josh Enomoto did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines .


Haris Jamil explores the colonial inheritance of contemporary contempt of court laws in India and how the civilising mission is reinvented domestically to stifle radical dissent and revolution. Jamil observes the ease with which such laws sit alongside international human rights law.
As all of our lives now seem suspended between an imagined past and an unknown future, Banan Abdelrahman reflects along with those who are habitually unsettled and displaced, by entering into one family’s experience of a significant journey.
Compiled and narrated by Shahd Hammouri.
Christiane Wilke reflects on the possible gaps in the ICC’s engagement with Afghanistan through the lens of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan’s Annual Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict.
Vasanthi Venkatesh and Fahad Ahmad reflect on the BJP’s insidious use of legitimate state power through administrative regulation, constitutionalism, citizenship determination, adoption of international law and neoliberal economic policies, to further its ‘Hindutva’ ideology.
Adil Hasan Khan unpacks the colonial histories of the project of modernity in India and transcends the distinction between secular and anti-secular. He envisions a relationship between law, religion and politics whereby politics is neither fully determined by religion and law, nor entirely bereft of an ethic; and he turns to traditions of civility to inspire peaceful cohabitation.
Shahd Hammouri recalls Allende’s speech and traces the spirals of history – the discourse and conduct – that over time led to the gradual exclusion of economic and corporate matters from public international law, and the normalisation of such a state of affairs.
Shrimoyee Nandini Ghosh reflects on the historical trajectories and consequences of the international community’s domestication of Kashmir, and maps how the Indian legal order serves to simultaneously effectuate and erase the conditions of militarized occupation, armed conflict and complex permanent emergency in Kashmir.
J. Kēhaulani Kauanui discusses her monograph, ‘Paradoxes of Hawaiian Sovereignty: Land, Sex, and the Colonial Politics of State Nationalism’, with Ntina Tzouvala.
Mohammad Shahabuddin elucidates in a new book why minorities are often marginalized in postcolonial states, through identifying three visions of the postcolonial state, and tracing the operations of international law therein.


2006 Research Award Recipient First Prize PTSD and Self-reported Physical Health in Victims of Crime: Impact of Counselling on these Symptoms Jo Rouston Australian National University
Abstract:
This study examined specific self-reported physical health symptoms and PTSD symptomatology in a sample of 59 victims of crime five to seven months after these symptoms had initially been assessed. The aim was to explore whether counselling was associated with a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms, and a concomitant slight reduction in physical health complaints in those diagnosed with PTSD. Repeated measures analyses of covariance, with depression as a covariate, revealed an overall reduction in PTSD symptoms for the entire sample, but little change in health symptom reporting over time. Counselling status was not significant in either case. The sample was split into two groups depending on whether short- (less than 8 sessions) or long-term counselling was received. Short-term (or no) counselling was associated with a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms and a non-significant trend towards reduced health symptom reporting in the PTSD group, whereas longerterm counselling was associated with no change in PTSD symptoms and a greater endorsement of self-reported health problems over time. These results suggest that shorter-term counselling may be more structured and focussed in treating PTSD and associated health symptoms, while also raising questions about the effectiveness of longer-term counselling with this complex client group.


There are many ways real estate is not like other forms of property. One of the most fundamental differences is that, simply put, the land in question was there before anyone first claimed ownership of it, and it has remained there no matter how many people have lived on or built on the land.
This may seem like an abstract, philosophical point, but it has very practical implications. This becomes clear when you think of the concept of “title.”
Understanding title
In real estate law, the term “title” refers to legal ownership of property. Owning property means you have title to it. Selling real estate means selling title to the property.
However, a lot of things can get in the way of title. Over the years, after many sales of the property, records can be lost, and so there may be a gap in the chain of title.
Sometimes another party acquires a lien on the property as a way of seeking payment for a debt. This is a partial challenge to the title.
Another common problem with title involves estate law. When an owner dies and leaves real estate to their relatives, this can, in some cases, mean dividing ownership between multiple parties. The relatives may find a way to make this arrangement work for them, but these arrangements often get more difficult to manage in later generations, leading to complex title issues.
Clearing away challengers
Because owning property means having title to it, any challenge to that title can interfere with the ability to buy, sell, alter or maintain the property. For this reason, buyers and sellers want an untroubled title.
One way to clear away challenges to a title is through a type of lawsuit known as a quiet title action.
When you file a quiet title action, you ask anyone who challenges your title to the property to come forward and argue why their claim is stronger than yours. If they don’t convince the court, the court will declare that your title is “quiet,” or unencumbered by legal challenges.
In this way you can clear away any old liens, gaps in the chain of title or other challenges.


Dr. Katrin Muff, Dean of BSL
This paper examines how a boutique business school in Switzerland has undertaken a profound program revision based on the input and perspectives of business leaders. It demonstrates how key learning from personally conducted interviews were effectively translated into the school’s MBA curriculum, thereby transforming not only the program but also the way the school interacts with program participants. A detailed account of an ambitious academic revision provides insights into how entrepreneurship can be lived in the academic world. A qualitative survey lies at the core of this study. Conclusions drawn from interviews with more than 30 CEOs and HR Directors, from across all industries, provide findings on how business leaders think about higher education in business. The results highlight their perspective regarding a) how academic programs can add real value in business, b) what business schools should teach more and c) what they should teach less in their MBA programs. The purpose of this paper is to share one school’s experiences and inspire the debate on relevance in business education.
Read the full article.


While China’s food system underwent remarkable progress along the food value chain, the rapidly progressing nutrition transition raises concerns over negative health consequences and pressure on natural resources.
Educational measure that address both micronutrient deficiencies and excessive intake of unhealthy foods are necessary, but should be designed in ways that safeguard the nutritional and economic welfare of lower income classes.
Authors: Lena Kuhn (IAMO), Yanjun Ren (IAMO), Thomas Glauben (IAMO)


Sanofi (Nasdaq:SNY) and GSK (NYSE:GSK) have announced that their next-generation COVID-19 booster vaccine candidate based on the beta variant yielded a substantial immune boost in adults previously primed with mRNA vaccines.
The novel vaccine yielded a strong increase in antibody titers above baseline against various variants of concern, including a 40-fold increase against the BA.1 omicron subvariant 15 days after vaccination. The same vaccine also yielded a 15-fold increase against the original D614 virus and a 30-fold increase against the beta strain.
The results were from two studies, the VAT02 Cohort 2 and COVIBOOST VAT013.
The new vaccine candidate elicited a more robust immune response than the Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine or the first-generation Sanofi-GSK vaccine candidate.
Last week, Moderna (Nasdaq:MRNA) also announced that its bivalent omicron booster vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273.214 yielded 1.75 times more neutralizing antibodies than its original mRNA-1273 vaccine.
The Sanofi vaccine, which uses a GSK adjuvant, also appeared to offer protection against the BA.2 omicron subvariant while offering good safety and tolerability.
The vaccine yielded twice as many neutralizing antibodies against omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants compared to the original D614-based booster.
In the clinical research, 76.1% of recipients of the Sanofi-GSK vaccine had at least a 10-fold increase in neutralizing antibody titers against the D614 SARS-CoV-2 strain within 15 days of inoculation. By contrast, 63.2% of recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine met the same benchmark.
Data from the COVIBOOST trial are published on a pre-print server. The companies plan to have the data published in a peer-reviewed journal.
“COVID-19 keeps evolving, and the combination of emergence of variants and waning immunity is likely to lead to the need for additional booster shots, at least in some populations,” said Thomas Triomphe, executive vice president of Sanofi Vaccines, in a statement. “The Beta variant expresses similar mutations across multiple variants of concern, including omicron, making it a strong vaccine candidate to confer broad protection against multiple strains of COVID-19. Seeing the cross-neutralization data from the independent AP-HP study, we believe this next-generation booster could have an important role to play for public health vaccination campaigns. We look forward to submitting these data to global regulatory authorities.”
SNY shares were down 1.66% to $50.06 in afternoon trading, while GSK shares fell 2.49% to $42.71. The overall NASDAQ index was down about 4%.
Filed Under: Infectious Disease


November is Vegan Month! If you're unfamiliar with the term, a vegan diet is one that is entirely plant-based and doesn't include any animal products or byproducts (i.e. milk, eggs, cheese). If you've wanted to try the vegan lifestyle, now is a great time to start. Even if you aren't looking to fully transition, there are many amazing vegan recipes to incorporate into whatever diet you lead.


In efforts toward achieving green energy and sustainable manufacturing, KL-Kepong Oleomas (“KLKOM”) embarked on a project to utilise vent gas as an additional fuel source.
This initiative has reduced approximately 25% of natural gas consumption by KLKOM and is projected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 1,900 tons of CO2 equivalent per annum.
This achievement supports KLK Group’s journey in reducing our dependency on fossil fuel combustion to low carbon alternatives, particularly in oleochemicals manufacturing for KLK OLEO.
The world needs you to go green, join us on our journey.


This press release is brought to you by the ECHA.
ECHA welcomes the EU General Court’s conclusions which confirm the Agency’s approach in identifying PBTs and vPvBs as substances of very high concern.
The ruling confirms that ECHA’s approach in identifying UVCB[1] substances as well as other multi-constituent substances as PBTs[2] or vPvBs[3] on the basis of their constituent ingredients present in a concentration of 0.1% or more is lawful. The Court also upheld that ECHA’s decisions were proportionate and did not breach the principle of equal treatment.
The Court further ruled that after a substance has been identified by ECHA as having PBT and/or vPvB properties, suppliers of these substances are legally required to update their safety data sheets with this information. It follows that all registrants of such substances will also need to update their chemical safety report with such information. It should be noted that according to the REACH Regulation, companies that have already concluded in their chemical safety assessment that a substance meets the criteria for identification as a PBT/vPvB are required to update their safety data sheet with this information even if ECHA has not yet formally identified such substances as PBTs/vPvBs and included them in the Candidate List.
For more information and the full press release please refer to the link above.


Dynamic Adaptive Pathways in Downscaled Climate Change Scenarios
Published in: Climatic Change, Volume 150, Issue 3-4, pages 333-341 (October 2018). doi: 10.1007/s10584-018-2270-7
Posted on RAND.org on January 08, 2019
The parallel scenario process enables characterization of climate-related risks and response options to climate change under different socio-economic futures and development prospects. The process is based on representative concentration pathways, shared socio-economic pathways, and shared policy assumptions. Although this scenario architecture is a powerful tool for evaluating the intersection of climate and society at the regional and global level, more specific context is needed to explore and understand risks, drivers, and enablers of change at the national and local level. We discuss the need for a stronger recognition of such national-scale characteristics to make climate change scenarios more relevant at the national and local scale, and propose ways to enrich the scenario architecture with locally relevant details that enhance salience, legitimacy, and credibility for stakeholders. Dynamic adaptive pathways are introduced as useful tools to draw out which elements of a potentially infinite scenario space connect with decision-relevant aspects of particular climate-related and non-climate-related risks and response options. Reviewing adaptation pathways for New Zealand case studies, we demonstrate how this approach could bring the global-scale scenario architecture within reach of local-scale decision-making. Such a process would enhance the utility of scenarios for mapping climate-related risks and adaptation options at the local scale, involving appropriate stakeholder involvement.


Background: Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (iCBT) interventions have the potential to help individuals with depression, regardless of time and location. Yet, limited information exists on the longer-term (>6 months) effects of iCBT and adherence to these interventions.
Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal (12 months) effectiveness of a fully automated, self-guided iCBT intervention called Thrive, designed to enhance engagement with a rural population of adults with depression symptoms. The secondary aim was to determine whether the program adherence enhanced the effectiveness of the Thrive intervention.
Methods: We analyzed data from 181 adults who used the Thrive intervention. Using self-reports, participants were evaluated at baseline, 8 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months for the primary outcome of depression symptom severity using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale and secondary outcome measures, namely, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) scores, Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) scores, Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC-10) scores, and suicidal ideation (ninth item of the PHQ-9 scale) scores. The Thrive program adherence was measured using the numbers of program logins, page views, and lessons completed.
Results: The assessment response rates for 8-week, 6-month, and 12-month outcomes were 58.6% (106/181), 50.3% (91/181), and 51.4% (93/181), respectively. By 8 weeks, significant improvements were observed for all outcome measures. These improvements were maintained at 12 months with mean reductions in severities of depression (mean –6.5; P<.001) and anxiety symptoms (mean –4.3; P<.001). Improvements were also observed in work and social functioning (mean –6.9; P<.001) and resilience (mean 4.3; P<.001). Marked decreases were observed in suicidal ideation (PHQ-9 ninth item score >1) at 6 months (16.5%) and 12 months (17.2%) compared to baseline (39.8%) (P<.001). In regard to the program adherence, cumulative counts of page views and lessons completed were significantly related to lower PHQ-9, GAD-7, and WSAS scores and higher CD-RISC-10 scores (all P values <.001 with an exception of page views with WSAS for which P value was .02).
Conclusions: The Thrive intervention was effective at reducing depression and anxiety symptom severity and improving functioning and resilience among a population of adults from mostly rural communities in the United States. These gains were maintained at 1 year. Program adherence, measured by the number of logins and lessons completed, indicates that users who engage more with the program benefit more from the intervention.


If you've been invited to Vestd to accept growth shares (class V shares) in a company, it's important you understand the differences and conditions attached to the shares.
Vestd's growth shares are ordinary shares with exactly the same rights, apart from three key things:
1. The hurdle rate
Your growth shares will have a hurdle rate, which is the point at which your shares have full economic rights to capital distributions - or in other words, become valuable.
For example, if your hurdle rate is set at £1.20 and the company is eventually sold for £5 per share, you will take home £3.80 per share. Hurdle rates incentivise recipients to grow the company while also protecting ordinary shareholders from dilution.
When you accept the growth shares, they will essentially be worthless at that time, which means you shouldn't incur a tax liability.
You'll only need to pay Capital Gains Tax when you sell, based on the difference between the eventual share price and their hurdle rate.
2. Rights to dividends
Your growth shares may have rights to dividends if they are awarded from a share class that has dividend rights.
However, you will only be able to receive dividends once the conditions have been met...
3. Conditional equity
Your growth shares will likely have conditions attached to them. When you accept the growth share distribution, you will enter into the "Task Agreement" where you must fulfil specific criteria outlined in the agreement.
This can either be time or performance-based milestones, or both. If you do not fulfil the criteria, then the company may convert the V shares into deferred shares which have no economic rights.
You can see the conditions you must meet in the Growth Share Schedule on your agreement summary.
If you're an employee or director of the company, it is important that when you accept the growth shares you sign an ITEPA 431 election within 14 days.
When the growth shares are offered by the company on the platform, they will either be voting (Vv) or non-voting (Vn) shares.
You'll receive an email to accept the growth shares and - if you haven't already - create your Vestd account to view the details and projected value of your growth shares.
Once you have accepted, you will need to pay the issuing company nominal value for the growth shares. They will provide the amount payable upon your acceptance.
Our team, content and app can help you make informed decisions. However, any guidance and support should not be considered as 'legal, tax or financial advice.'


Despite the name, there isn’t much evidence that feverfew can help lower a fever. It may be a better choice for taming migraines. It won’t bring pain relief during a headache, but some research shows it could reduce the number of migraines you have over time. You can find it in capsules, liquid extracts, teas, and tablets.